South Africa are playing Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series. All the three matches will take place at Bulawayo. South Africa have rested their key players like Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander. Zimbabwe will be captained by Elton Chigumbura.

Toss update : Zimbabwe win toss and elect to bowl

Zimbabwe have won the toss and elected to bowl. There is a tinge of grass on the wicket and that may just help the seamers to get a bit of movement off the surface for bowlers. However, the track is expected to take turn as the game progresses.

Shingi Masakadza is hitting the bat hard, but is giving enough width for Quinton de Kock to use his flashing blade and play rip-roaring shots square of the wicket on the off-side. He reached his fifty in just 42 balls.

Amla and de Kock are looking to erect a large edifice for the middle-order to come into play.

Update : Amla, Quinton de Kock stitch century stand

Amla and de Kock stitched a century stand for the first wicket. On a wicket that flattened out after the first few overs, both batsmen took advantage of some wayward bowling put on 100 runs for the first wicket.

Update : John Nymubu takes first wicket

Nyumbu picked up his first wicket in ODIs by dismissing de Kock. He flighted the ball with de Kock looking to play his favourite inside out shot, but was caught at backward point by Brendan Taylor.

Update : Hashim Amla scores fifty

The ultra-consistent, Hashim Amla, made his 24th half-century for South Africa. He got to his fifty in 66 deliveries. Amla, used those surgical-like wrists to place the ball into gaps and engineer South Africa's fine start. Zimbabwe, have used the spinners to stem the run flow. To some extent, they have been successful, as on this track you need to force the pace against slow bowling.

Update : Hashim Amla dropped twice

Amla, the bedrock of South Africa's batting line-up has been dropped twice in a single over from the bowling off Shingi Masakadza. The medium pacer, dropped both caught and bowled chances that came at him.Amla, has a history of scaling mountainous peaks, if someone drops a catch, while he is batting.

Update : South Africa in strong position

South African batsmen, upped the ante in the power-play to reach 200 runs on the board in the 40th over of the game. Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla continued to put the bowlers to the sword during the power-play. Du Plessis, known for his innovative stroke-play even while playing for Lancashire used his quick feet to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Update : Zimbabwe take wicket of du Plessis

Sibanada, took a fine catch at mid on to send Faf du Plessis back to the pavilion. Du Plessis though, played a vital innings for South Africa. Here is one batsman who can change gears as and when required. A stamp of a quality batsman.

Hashim Amla reached his 15th ODI ton for South Africa. He was dropped twice but the credit has to go to Amla for playing with that unwavering concentration prowess. He showcased nimble wrists to keep the Zimbabwe's bowlers at bay.

Update : South Africa amass 309/3

South Africa, amassed 309 for three in their first ODI against Zimbabwe. Hashim Amla, was the star-performer, as he accrued a fine knock of 122 not out. The likes of Qunton de Kock, Faf du Plessis and at the back end of their innings, JP Duminy, played enterprising knocks for the visitors.

Update : Parnell takes first wicket

After making a steady start, Zimbabwe lost the wicket of Sibanda. The left-arm seamer, Wayne Parnell, used the left-armer's angle to take Sibanda's wicket. Sibanda though, didn't help his cause by opening the face of his bat. Kyle Abbott is generating some decent pace and bounce.

Update : Ryan McLaren snares wicket

All-rounder, Ryan McLaren, snared the important wicket of Richmond Mutmumbami. It was a short delivery, and Mutumbami could only edge it to the wicketkeeper, Quinton de Kock.

Update : Masakadza reaches 50

Zimbabwe's Hamilton Masakadza and Sean Williams are looking to stitch a partnership. They are looking to pierce the gaps and take singles and twos. Masakadza has also compiled a fine fifty. Zimbabwe still have a long way to go though.

Masakadza and Williams put on a 100-run stand. Suddenly, Zimbabwe seemed to be in the game. South Africa's spinners weren't able to extract much out of the surface. At the right time though, Parnell took the wicket of Masakadza. It was a soft dismissal.

Update : South Africa on course to win

Chigumbura and Luke Jongwe are struggling to keep up with the required rate. The rate required to win the game is now above 10. Both batsmen need to score at least one boundary every over. In short, South Africa look set to win the game.

Update : Zimbabwe in tatters

Imran Tahir, the leg-spinner has taken three wickets for South Africa. Zimbabwe are in tatters, as Neville Madziva too gets out to the leg-spinner. The required rate is now over 17 runs per over.

Match end Update : South Africa steamroll Zimbabwe

South Africa restricted Zimbabwe to a sub-par 216 all out to win the first ODI by a massive 93 runs.

After a forgettable 3-match series against South Africa, in which they suffered a whitewash, Zimbabwe will be hoping to put on an improved performance when they take on Australia in the opening match of the tri-series that starts on 25th August in Harare.

AB de Villiers is known for many things, but almost never for misjudging a run. But there is always a first time for everything, even if it is letting a ball go to a wicket-keeper who is standing right up to the stumps, and shockingly contrive to steal a single.